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 T14 AMAZON TREK This trekking expedition is put together for the hardy of you as it involves physical strength and stamina on your part. We start our tour in the Andes descending the Eastern Cordillera into the Amazon basin. We explore the highland region, hiking to waterfalls and an active volcano. Then we climb up Sumaco, a volcanic peak reaching over the whole Amazon and giving spectacular views. At the end we move into the Lowlands to explore the rainforests with its majestic trees and other abundant vegetation and the animals inhabiting those woodlands.. T14 : 2 days / 1 night Day 1 We leave Quito and drive north to Cayambe where we take then the road passing Guachala to the small town of Oyacachi. From there we begin our hike down through the cloudforest into the Amazon basin on a trail used for centuries by Indians. Midway we have to put up our first camp site. Day 2 We continue on hiking down till we reach El Chaco, a small town located on the road connecting Quito with Lag Agrio. There the van awaits us and brings us to San Rafael where we put up a camp right across the mighty waterfalls. Day 3 In the morning we start to explore the area around the waterfall. First we hike down on steep trails to the river level. Returning to the camp we then hike to the top of the waterfall. To get there we have turn back and approach from the upper river. Day 4 Today we explore the region around El Reventador. This active volcano had a big eruption two years ago and traces of its destructiveness can still be seen. Today's hike will be all day and we return then to our campsite. Day 5 We leave this area and drive to Huamani where we get ready for our next trek. The drive takes some 5 hours and in between we stop for lunch. Day 6 In the morning we drive to Pacto Sumaco, a small settlement, where we arrive after one hour and where we leave our jeep. From there we begin our 5-hour hike on mostly muddy paths towards our first campsite, which is a clearing in the primary forest, close to a small river. Day 7 After breakfast we start out towards our second camp, which is located at a small lagoon at 2600m and where we have a great view of the volcano and the tropical lowlands. We arrive there after another 5-hour hike through primary cloud forest where on our way we might see monkeys, wild pigs and many kinds of birds. Day 8 On this day we climb the peak of Sumaco. We leave our equipment in the camp and only take food and water for the day. After a 3-hour hike through dense growth of bamboo and other shrubs and trees we arrive at the end of the forest and at the base of the volcanic cone. From now on we continue the climb through strange paramo vegetation to the peak where we arrive after another 2 hours. On top of Sumaco we can observe the whole of the Amazon basin, weather permitting. Day 9 On this day we hike straight back to Pacto Sumaco where we arrive after a 6- hour hike passing our first campsite, where we stop for lunch. We, then drive back by jeep to Huamani and head then to Puerto Misahualli for the night. Day 10 In the morning we visit a waterfall outside of town. The afternoon is then spent relaxing in this peaceful little town and visit the beach where we can take refreshing swims in the river. Capuchin monkeys live there and entertain us with their antics. Day 11 We take a boat to a rainforest lodge, located down the river Napo. After lunch we undertake a 4-hour hike in the surrounding rain forest. At night we venture again into the forest to get to know nocturnal animals and the unique sounds, the night produces. Day 12 In the morning we explore lower rainforests region across the River Napo. After lunch we return to Puerto Misahualli where we spend another night. Day 13 We leave Puerto Misahualli and drive to Puyo where we stop for lunch. Then we take the road up the Pastaza valley till we reach Rio Verde. We stop three and visit the waterfalls of Pailon de Diablo. Afterwards we continue on to Baņos where we spend our last night. Day 14 In the morning we do our last hiking climbing up the steep walls surrounding Baņos from where we have splendid views to the fire spewing Tungurahua volcano. After lunch in Baņos we drive back to Quito, where we end our excursion.
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